M22 AAA Midwest Traveler | September/October 2019

Savor autumn in Missouri by following all or parts of the Katy Trail to charming towns, wineries, and events.

BY MELISSA CORBIN

Melanie Robinson-Smith doesn’t get out on the trail as often as she’d like these days. As Missouri’s Katy Trail State Park coordinator, she’s busy welcoming more than 400,000 visitors each year. Yet, each time she’s on the trail, Robinson-Smith says she discovers something new. And she’s not alone.

“One thing I think is interesting is that people have this on their bucket list. It is a unique accomplishment and is definitely on my buck-et list,” she says.

The 240-mile trail is built on the corridor of the former Missou-ri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad. When the railroad ceased Missouri operations in 1986, Missouri State Parks gained access to a section between St. Charles County and Pettis County. Construction began a year later, and the trail opened in 1990.

With the Missouri River on one side and a diverse landscape on the other, bikers and hikers explore deep forest, wetlands, prairies, and rolling pastures. With 26 trailheads, it’s easy to explore some or all trail sections. The many small towns dotting the trail also are excel-lent entry points and worth exploring.

Tales Trailfrom the

“The Katy Trail is a very unique opportunity for people to ex-perience all the different landscapes that Missouri has to offer. There are lots of things to explore and a little something for ev-eryone,” Robinson-Smith says.

Just in time for the best in Missouri’s leaf peeping, grape har-vest, and beyond, map out your favorite destinations along the Katy Trail. Here are a few ideas to get you on your way.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINSAlthough Machens, Mo., is the easternmost point of the trail,

St. Charles, Mo., is a convenient spot from which to launch your trek. Because a long haul is ahead of you, consider indulging in a day at the spa and an overnight stay at Ameristar St. Charles Casino Resort (AAA Four Diamonds). St. Charles’ historical Main Street is just a few minutes away.

The next morning, start at the fully restored 1893 Katy Train Depot in Frontier Park that has great views of the Missouri River. The depot is used for special events; a Victorian mourning exhib-it will be there starting Oct. 12 for the annual Legends & Lanterns Halloween celebration.

Up the hill in the historical Main Street district, shopping and dining options are plentiful. Enjoy a sustainably sourced meal at the Bike Stop Café & Outpost that’s under a canopy of shade trees. The eatery is a few steps away from the Katy Trail, making it a prime place to reserve your bike (48 hours ahead of arrival is recommended). The Bike Stop will shuttle you and your gear anywhere along the trail. You can also park your car at the South Riverside Drive location for the duration of the trip.

EXPLORE MISSOURI’S WINERIES Continue on the trail about 27 miles to Augusta, Mo., the first

federally approved American Viticultural Area (AVA). You’ll wind around limestone hills of the Missouri River Valley while admiring the beautiful golden hues of Augusta’s vineyards. Augusta boasts several wineries and a smattering of award-winning restaurants.

Known for its German heritage and wineries, Hermann is right

September/October 2019 | AAA Midwest Traveler 23

Above: A variety of shops and restaurants can be found on St. Charles’ historical Main Street. Dennis R. Heinze

Left: Trail users will experience a slice of rural history in small towns along the way. Missouri

State Parks

Below: Wineries beckon in Augusta, Hermann, and other towns. VisitMo.com

Katy Trail State Park hugs the Missouri River for much of its

route. Missouri State Parks

off the McKittrick Trailhead (100.8 mile marker). According to the local chamber, the Hermann area boasts 12 wineries, four distill-eries, and two micro-breweries within a 15-mile radius here. It’s a popular stop along the trail.

“There’s a bike lane on the bridge into Hermann that makes it easily accessible to trail visitors,” Robinson-Smith says.

She suggests stopping in at the Deutschheim State Historic Site to learn more of the region’s history, along with the Historic Hermann Museum built in 1871 as the town’s original school house.

Truly one of the most photogenic villages on the trail, early morning snapshots of the sunrise overlooking the Missouri River are a must. And for travelers in-terested in an overnight in either Augusta or Hermann, there are plenty of bed-and-breakfast inns from which to choose. However, October brings huge weekend crowds to Hermann for the annual Oktoberfest, so you might consider a weekday stop if you want a more relaxing, quiet stay.

RIDE TO THE CAPITALIt’s about 38 miles from just outside Hermann (Rhineland, Mo.)

to Jefferson City, Mo., and Robinson-Smith says some of the trail’s best views are here.

“It’s just you, the bluffs, and the rivers. It’s a little less traveled where you can experience the peace and quiet of being by your-self,” she says.

Missouri’s capital, Jefferson City, offers sights such as the Capitol and the governor’s mansion. Although the infamous

Missouri State Penitentiary has been closed due to damage by this year’s tornado, its past is represented in the Missouri State Penitentiary Museum at the corner of Lafayette Street and Capitol Avenue. The museum’s historical home was once the residence of the prison’s first warden.

Prison Brews on Ash Street rounds off the day with hand-tossed pizzas and craft beer, and Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conven-tion Center (AAA Two Diamonds) is a choice overnight option.

To explore nearby Columbia, Mo., the home of the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and a host of festivals throughout the year, hop off the Katy and follow the MKT Trail into the city. Check out the Roots N Blues N BBQ festival, which will be at Stephens Lake Park on Sept. 27–29. Remember that during football season, the hotels fill up when the Missouri Tigers are home, so plan accordingly.

From the point where the MKT and Katy trails intersect, it’s less than 10 miles into Rocheport, Mo. Hop off your bike and hike the MKT tunnel, a short one-quarter mile.

Each fall, visitors also flock to this area to see the colors. Robinson-Smith recommends joining one of the park’s fall color tram tours offered the fourth week in October. During a two-hour round trip between Rocheport and Boonville, Mo., you’ll learn of

24 AAA Midwest Traveler | September/October 2019 AAA.com

Left: Tucked in the Missouri River Valley, Hermann is lovely in the fall. VisitMo.com

Below: The Bike Stop Café & Outpost is a few steps from the trail in St. Charles. VisitMo.com

Bottom: More than 30 groups typically perform at the Roots N Blues N BBQ festival in Columbia. Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau

Katy Trail State ParkTrail users will find 26 trailheads and four fully restored railroad depots on the way.

Hermann

Augusta

MarthasvilleDutzow

Jefferson City

Columbia

McBaine

Rocheport

Pilot GroveClifton City

Sedalia

Hermann spur

MKT TrailSt. Charles

New Franklin

Boonville

Missouri Rive

r

the local history and trail development while soaking up the scenery. Reservations open Sept. 3, and a $5 donation is suggested. Not surprisingly, the tours book up quickly.

“Boonville has a lot to offer,” Robinson-Smith says. “The trail runs right in front of the doorway of the Rivers, Rails and Trails Museum on Spring Street. You can’t miss it.”

WRAPPING IT UPAs you near the end of the trail, it’s about 36 miles from Boonville to Sedalia, Mo., site

of the annual Missouri State Fair. Scott Joplin, known as the father of ragtime, lived for a time as a young man in Sedalia.

At the Sedalia Katy Depot, which also is a visitor center, you’ll learn of Sedalia’s impor-tance on the rail and its roots in some of the earliest Western cattle drives. From Sedalia, you can either settle in for some well-deserved pampering at the historical Hotel Both-

well, or continue on to Clinton, Mo.

TIPS FOR YOUR TRIPRobinson-Smith suggests riders train

prior to hitting the trail for a much more enjoyable ride. Most stops along the trail are 10 miles apart.

Let someone know where you’re at while paying attention to the white mile markers from the original railroad and road crossings.

Whether you experience a part of the trail (as I did) or complete the entire 240 miles over several days, any time spent on the Katy Trail is to be celebrated and remembered. •

Melissa Corbin is a contributor from the Nashville, Tenn., area.

September/October 2019 | AAA Midwest Traveler 25AAA.com

CIRCLE NO. 4 ON THE FREE INFO CARD.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER

7: ROTARY CLUB MOUSE RACE @ ARMORY

7: VETERANS FREE FISHING @ MONTAUK STATE PARK

7: MIDWEST BLUE OVAL RALLY @ COURTHOUSE SQUARE

21-22: MO TROUT FISHER ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT@

MONTAUK STATE PARK

OCTOBER

5-6: 56TH ANNUAL ROSE HOLLAND TROUT DERBY @

MONTAUK STATE PARK

5: COMMUNITY WIDE YARD SALE- SALEM

26: A HAUNTING IN THE MILL @ MONTAUK STATE PARK

salemmo.com • 573-729-6900

Photo: MO State Parks

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CIRCLE NO. 6 ON THE FREE INFO CARD.

CIRCLE NO. 11 ON THE FREE INFO CARD.

In 2020, Katy Trail State Park will observe its 30th anniversary. For more trail information or to reserve tram tours, call Missouri State Parks at (573) 449-7402 or visit mostateparks.com. Information about cities along the trail is available at visitmo.com. Stop by your nearest AAA service office for maps, lodging reservations, and TourBook® guides. A list of offices to serve you is on page 6 in this issue. For a TripTik® Travel Planner, visit AAA.com/travel. Order free information about Missouri through the Free Information Card found at page 44.

BEFORE YOU GO

Don’t drive intoxicated.Don’t drive intexticated.

Visit AAA.com/DontDriveDistracted